P-man

I keep thinking about the moment I thought this year COULD be different. It was actually in round 2 after watching us live against the Aints. The diligent way we defended, both in structure and effort, was something slightly different to what I’d seen before. We allowed them possession but it was never in doubt that we would eventually win it back. Not to mention the way we approached the contest. We essentially bullied them all game. If we had kicked straight it would have been a total blow out. Yes there were the odd lapses, and the Saints routinely shot themselves in the foot, but it was something I hadn’t recognised in a Melbourne side when watching them live before: complete control. It wasn’t enough to totally convince me that this year was going to be different, but there were signs that it could be. Of course my Saints mates were having none of it, attributing the result to them playing poorly. But looking back, it was a key moment for me in realising the possibilities of this year. 2018 was fun but I came from that game wondering if this 2021 mob could be the real deal. Turns out, they were, and are. Enjoy the day ladies and gents. It’s not the circumstances any of us envisioned, but I have faith in this team. We will be thereabouts for a while to come. So let’s savour the moment. We’re in a grand final dammit. And finally, thanks again to Andy and everyone else who makes DLand possible. Despite having never met a single one of you, I feel a kinship with anyone nutty enough to come to a place like this and share their nuttiness with other nuts. And I know many others feel the same. Salo for the Norm Smith. You heard it here first. Go Dees 💪

I’m still chuckling at this. Guy Rigoni: “We went over to Todd’s place for a midfield meeting one day and Jack Viney got his teeth knocked out on the trampoline out the back. He came inside and Todd said ‘don’t you cry!’”

The bar is open 👍

I must admit I got emotional while reading his statement today. I’ll never forget his performances during arguably the darkest days the club has seen. In footy terms they were nothing short of heroic. The bloke will always be a favourite son. Thanks for everything, Jonesy.

I’m struggling to understand the narrative developing that the Dogs are the “story of the year” and it will be the “greatest flag ever” if they win it. Why? Because they lost games they shouldn’t towards the end of the regular season which dropped them into fifth? Is that what makes them the “story of the season”? Failure? I don’t mind the Dogs. I’m just a bit perplexed how their story trumps that of a historical cellar dweller finally coming good to dominate all comers and break a 57 year premiership drought. But maybe I’m biased.

This bump is in the Voss on Richardson category. Epic.

Those hands. They’re like supersized baseball gloves coated in some kind of glorious adhesive.

As for Max, that is one of the all time great finals games. It’s one thing to be recognised as a great player but not every great player has a game that opposition fans will remember and talk about for generations. Max just chalked up one of those games. It’s a strange one for Melbourne fans when you hear and read people saying, “gee, how good is Max Gawn?”. Like it’s some kind of awakening. Yes, we know. That’s why we laugh at the NicNat comparisons. That’s why the All Australian captaincy selection was an obvious one. The dude is an out and out superstar. He is, by a long, long way, the best ruckman in the game.

I know right? He’s every bit as good a pick up as Rivers. Did he make a single mistake last night? I don’t recall one.

Well that is a heartbreaker no matter how you paint it.. I hope he is placing it all in perspective. On ya Jonesy.

My pies mate who has literally never said anything complimentary about Melbourne in his life texted me one word during the third quarter: “GAWN!!!!” I said in the pre game thread that I was hoping for us to give them a belting they would never forget. For it to actually happen is a surreal feeling.

Dreaming

This is officially a show.

Make it 100+ boys. Please. Make this dream complete.

Hope Dangerflop is proud of himself with that effort.

You can deadest put thr glasses down every time Chuckie has the ball in hand. Doesn’t miss.

May back on 😍

How good is it when they put the whistle away? Say it every year but it’s a much better game.

Viney playing like a man possessed

Chris Scott’s refusal to pay the oppo due credit is so pathetic.

Enjoy it ET 👍

A genuine legend of Aussie comedy. He would’ve needed every funny bone to get through the last 50 years.

Not sure how Fox could do a montage of the recent history between Melbourne and Geelong and NOT include 186. Talk about not mentioning the war.

I’m not nervous. You’re nervous.

I’m not sure I’ve ever felt more pumped for a game than this. This is intense.